Deer hunting is a popular activity in Wisconsin and is important in managing the size of the herd in our state. Last year’s exceptional season has many looking forward to the 2013 hunt. If the thought of wearing blaze orange once again gets your heart pumping, you may want to join the hunters who enjoy hunting in Wisconsin. Many find the Wisconsin Dells region a great area for hunting. If you are a hunter, here is some important information for you to keep in mind.
Dates
Gun deer season in Wisconsin is Nov. 23 – Dec. 1, 2013.
Bow deer season extends from Nov. 23 – Jan. 5, 2014.
Muzzleloader deer season is from December 2- December 11, 2013.
December antlerless hunt is December 12 – December 15, 2013.
The CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) holiday hunt is December 24 – January 5, 2014.
For those who hunt other animals, the Wisconsin DNR has a complete downloadable PDF listing all hunting dates in the state.
Licensing
Last year over 375,000 deer hunting licenses were sold in the Badger State and that number has been exceeded for this year. If you are a resident of Wisconsin you can find complete licensing information here.
If you are a non-resident, you can find more information on a non-resident license here.
The Department of Natural Resources has a convenient searchable database to help you find a licensing location near you. With these tools you can be ready to take on the season!
The Department of Natural Resources says that deer populations are at or near goal in the deer management units. Most regular units will have a limited number of unit-specific antlerless deer carcass tags available for the 2013 season. Antlerless tags are available until they are sold out or until the hunting season ends. Hunters can buy one antlerless tag each day. There is a $12 fee for each tag for residents and $20 for non-residents. The units with lower numbers of permits available will likely sell out quickly. Online permit availability is updated online. Hunters must buy their 2013 Wisconsin deer hunting license prior to buying the unit-specific antlerless tags.
Looking for a Place to Hunt?
Wisconsin is a popular place for hunting because it has so much land available for hunting. These lands include county, state and national forests, state-managed natural areas, and private lands enrolled in various state sponsored programs. According to the DNR, Wisconsin boasts some 7 million acres of available hunting land. If you would like to find specific places to hunt, visit the DNR’s website and type in the keywords “public access to state lands”.
You Can Donate Your Venison
Wisconsin has a vibrant venison donation program in place for hunters who would like to make a donation. Deer donations help feed needy people in the state. Hunters considering donating their deer are encouraged to use non-toxic ammunition. The cost of processing will be covered for donated deer, and hunters may keep the head and antlers for mounting. The DNR has complete details and a list of locations where deer can be donated in this downloadable PDF file.
Deer Hunting Moves to Social Media
You can get updates, share information and learn more about deer hunting this year in Wisconsin through a variety on social media venues. Here are the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources social media connections to help you sty in touch:
Twitter: @WDNR
We welcome you to visit Wisconsin all year round, and especially during deer hunting season. We remind you that the Wisconsin Dells region has some terrific scenery, streams, rivers, lakes, and plenty of accommodations and other activities. Be safe, follow the rules and enjoy the hunt!
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